Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing

ABSTRACT

Described are methods for the manufacture of a shoe, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a shoe includes providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing includes an individually controllable succession of processing steps.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority benefits from GermanPatent Application No. DE 10 2013 221 020.5, filed on Oct. 16, 2013,entitled SPEEDFACTORY 3D (“the '020 application”). The '020 applicationis hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a shoe,an apparatus to perform such method, as well as a shoe manufactured bysuch method.

BACKGROUND

The manufacture and sale of sportswear entails a significant number ofnew product designs each year for manufacturers, which are essential tokeep pace with the latest developments on the market or to promotedevelopment itself. Such designs comprise shoes, textiles andaccessories in a plurality of models, designs, production options,coloring, sizing, etc., for example. In this regard, most of the newproducts are designed, modeled and tested digitally by 3D CAD/FEA(finite element analysis) systems today.

In order to bring a new product on the market, samples are first mademanually from the digital design drafts, typically in factories locatedat a different place than the development department that is responsiblefor the product design. As a result, it is often only after shipment,often via ship containers, and receipt of the real samples that theproduct designers are able to further optimize their digital drafts andreturn them to the factories. This process is repeated until the sampleshave the desired functionality, design, cost and quality and may then bereleased for serial production in the factories. This process oftentakes several weeks to months until a result is reached, and the entiredelivery chain is very inflexible. Thus, a manufacturer is only able toreact slowly to fast-moving, fashion market trends and demands. Thebenefit regarding speed gained by the use of CAD/FEA systems throughoutis lost by the overall slow production processes by the factories allover the world.

In certain designs, conventional manufacturing apparatuses are oftenonly able to process flat workpieces. Therefore, a three-dimensionalmodel generated in the computer has to be projected into atwo-dimensional plane first, which may result in undesired materialwarping, buckling and distortions in the finished product.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to providemanufacturing methods and production means that allow to prompt, atleast partially automatic, and/or local manufacture of a plurality ofdifferent prototypes and the like in order to proceed from the “idea tothe product” more rapidly. In doing so, it should be possible for thethree-dimensional models designed on the computer to be transformed intocorresponding three-dimensional products as directly as possible.Further, it is desirable that the manufacture of individual items, inparticular customized individual items, small-scale series, or series bepossible in an uninterrupted manner and be freely scalable so that theproduction of a (small-scale) series may be merely x times a singleproduction step.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “thepresent invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly toall of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of thepatent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patentare defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various embodiments of the invention andintroduces some of the concepts that are further described in theDetailed Description section below. This summary is not intended toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor isit intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of theclaimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood byreference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of thispatent, any or all drawings and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method forthe manufacture of a shoe comprises providing a three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component, and processing the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component, wherein the processing comprises anindividually controllable succession of processing steps.

In some embodiments, the individually controllable succession ofprocessing steps is determined from a computer generated shoe model. Thecomputer generated shoe model may be selected from a predetermined setof shoe models that are stored on a computer. The computer generatedshoe model may also be selected by setting one or more parameters.

During processing, the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent may be arranged on a mounting device comprising a shape thatat least partially corresponds to the three-dimensional pre-shape of thefirst shoe component. In some embodiments, the mounting device comprisesa last. The last may further comprise a variable volume.

In certain embodiments, the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent comprises at least a part of a shoe upper.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method forthe manufacture of a shoe comprises manufacturing a three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component around a mounting device, and processingthe three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein theprocessing comprises an individually controllable succession ofprocessing steps.

In some embodiments, manufacturing the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component around the mounting device comprises at least oneof three-dimensional weft knitting, three-dimensional warp knitting,braiding, vacuum forming, injection molding, slush molding, casting,pouring, spraying a three-dimensional shape, wrapping athree-dimensional shape, or printing. In further embodiments,manufacturing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe componentaround the mounting device comprises circular knitting thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component.

In certain embodiments, the method further comprises passing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component through at least oneprocessing station and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component in the at least one processing station.

In some embodiments, processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component in the at least one processing station comprisesperforming at least one of the following processing steps: screenprinting, digital printing, dye sublimation, sublimation printing, padprinting, spraying on color, applying at least one color-changingmaterial, applying at least one foil element, impregnating with amaterial, coating with a material, applying at least one glue, flocking,laser cutting, laser engraving, embroidering, thermoforming, locallymelting, locally fusing, embossing, laser etching, and/or perfing. Infurther embodiments, processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component in the at least one processing station comprises addingat least one second shoe component to the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component.

The at least one second shoe component may comprise at least one of aneyelet, heel cap, toe cap, decoration element, decoration stripe,friction element, abrasion protection element, rib element,reinforcement element, stiffening element, supporting element,cushioning element, fiber element, sole element, or outsole. In someembodiments, the at least one second shoe component is added to thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component by at least one ofgluing, welding, high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, laserwelding, pressing, sewing, screwing, riveting, melting together,clipping together, sealing, subjecting to a heat and pressure treatment,or subjecting to a steaming treatment.

According to some embodiments, providing the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component comprises manufacturing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component around a mountingdevice. In some embodiments, processing the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component in the at least one processing stationcomprises removing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent from the mounting device.

The at least one processing station may comprise at least one processingtool that is used in accordance with the individually controllablesuccession of processing steps. In some embodiments, the at least oneprocessing station learns the use of the at least one processing toolvia interaction with a human. The interaction may comprise demonstratinga movement pattern for the use of the at least one processing tool.

In some embodiments, the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent comprises at least a part of a shoe upper.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method forthe manufacture of a plurality of shoes comprises providing a pluralityof three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoe components for themanufacture of a plurality of shoes, wherein at least one of theplurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoe components isconfigured for a different shoe model from at least a second one of theplurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoe components, andprocessing the plurality of three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponents to produce the plurality of shoes, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of shoes is a different shoe model from at least a secondone of the plurality of shoes, wherein the processing comprises anindividually controllable succession of processing steps that proceed inan automated manner without manual intervention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, various embodiments of thepresent invention are described with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a method of manufacture of a shoe,according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus with at least oneprocessing station for implementing a method of manufacture of a shoe,according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a method/apparatus for the manufactureof a shoe, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a method/apparatus for the manufactureof a shoe, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 are front and perspective views of a portable sales standcomprising an apparatus for the manufacture of a shoe, according tocertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a business premises comprising anapparatus for the manufacture of a shoe, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is atleast partially achieved by a method for the manufacture of a shoe whichcomprises providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent, wherein the processing comprises an individually controllablesequence of processing steps. In certain embodiments, the processing mayalso rearrange the individually controllable sequence of processingsteps.

It has to be pointed out here already that although the embodiments ofthe invention are described in relation to sports shoes in thefollowing, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.Rather, the present invention may also be used for other types ofsportswear, e.g. shirts, pants, gloves, etc. In addition, the inventionmay also be applied to the manufacture of sports equipment, such asballs, bags, backpacks, helmets, heads, belts, and other kind ofaccessories.

Moreover, certain embodiments of the method according to the inventionmay run automatically to a large extent as well as that a certain amountof manual support work is carried out.

That is, embodiments of a method according to the invention may becarried out, at least predominantly, by robots, robotic systems orautomated systems and/or the embodiments may include a certain amount ofhuman (support) work. The robots, robotic systems or automated systemsmay further be equipped with hardware and/or software specificallyadapted to the respective tasks or they may be general-purpose machines.

As previously mentioned, conventional manufacturing methods arefrequently based on an initially two-dimensional shoe element, such as apart of a shoe upper, which is only put into the desiredthree-dimensional shape afterwards, e.g. by finishing stitching at thetoe, bottom and/or heel. This process may result in undesired warping ofthe material and the possibly required seams may later rub the wearer'sfoot. These design considerations may be addressed by athree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component being provided,which is then processed further. The corresponding transfer of a threedimensional shoe design into two dimensions is therefore not alwaysnecessary.

The individually controllable sequence and/or rearrangement ofprocessing steps, to which the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent is subjected, further enables the manufacture of diverselydesigned shoes by embodiments of the method according to the invention.The method may particularly run in an automated manner to a large extentin a manufacturing or processing apparatus (see below), without manualintervention or an alteration of the apparatus being necessary for themanufacture of different shoe models or prototypes.

The individually controllable sequence and/or rearrangement ofprocessing steps may be determined from a computer generated shoe model.

A benefit of computer generated shoe models may be that they may bemodified in real time, so that the effects of the modification may bemade directly visible to a design developer or also to a future wearerof the shoe, for example. Thus, involving computer generated shoe modelsmay simplify the selection of the shoe model to be manufactured anddesign it in a more user-friendly manner. The sequence and/orrearrangement of processing steps necessary for manufacturing theselected shoe may then be determined automatically, so that even alayperson, for example a customer or future wearer of the shoe, is ableto select the shoe model to be manufactured and cause it to bemanufactured. In certain embodiments, the sequence of processing stepsnecessary for manufacturing the selected shoe may also be rearranged todetermine alternative and optimal manufacturing processes.

The shoe model may be selected from a predetermined set of shoe modelsthat are stored on a computer.

This helps to further simplify selection of the shoe model to bemanufactured, since the shoe model does not have to be assembled fromits individual components “from scratch”, but is selected from apredetermined set of stored shoe models. Herein, however, thepredetermined set itself may depend on further parameters being input(e.g. men's shoes, women's shoes, sports shoes, leisure shoes, etc.). Incertain embodiments, in a kind of construction-kit system, the shoemodel to be manufactured is selected and/or assembled from pre-storedshoe models and/or functional groups, e.g. from a selection of shoeuppers, soles of shoes, inner soles, etc.

In certain embodiments, the shoe model is selected by setting one ormore parameters.

A future wearer could, for example, enter his (or her) shoe size, thewidth of his forefoot, his weight, whether he has a neutral behavior ofrolling over or tends to overpronate/underpronate, the desired intendeduse, the desired color, etc., in response to which a computer, forexample, selects a shoe model which meets these requirements, which isthen manufactured. This may allow a particularly detailed selection ofthe shoe to be manufactured.

The three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component may be arrangedon a mounting device during processing which comprises a shape that atleast partially corresponds to the three-dimensional pre-shape of thefirst shoe component.

By arranging on a mounting device, it is possible in a particularlysimple manner to move along the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component for the individual sequence and/or rearrangement ofprocessing steps, if necessary, e.g. to a new processing station and/orto reposition it. By the mounting device comprising a shape that atleast partially corresponds to the three-dimensional pre-shape of thefirst shoe component, particularly good fixation of thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component on the mountingdevice may be achieved, on the one hand, so that it does not shiftduring processing. Such a result may be desirable, for example, forprecise positioning while further shoe components are added or seams,holes, apertures, lettering/decoration, etc. are applied. On the otherhand, this prevents the material of the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component from noticeably losing shape or undesirablydeforming in another manner during processing.

The mounting device may comprise a last. In some embodiments, the lastcomprises a variable volume, which may be designed to be inflatable.Other possibilities of an adjustable last would be a last comprising oneor more shape memory materials, which could be compressed for insertioninto the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component but thenreturn to their original shape and volume. Also, magnetorheologicalfluids could be used.

In this context, a last may be well suited for achieving the desiredresults mentioned above, since it corresponds to the shape of a foot onwhich the shoe is ultimately to be worn at least to a large degree. Byan adjustable last, for example an inflatable last, it is possible, onthe one hand, for a single last to be used for various shoe sizes. Ifthe inflatable last comprises several individually inflatable chambersor the like, the last may be individually adjusted to a foot of a futurewearer. This may result in a better fit of the manufactured shoe.

Providing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component maycomprise a manufacture of the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent around the mounting device.

By manufacturing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe componentdirectly around the mounting device, it is no longer necessary for thethree-dimensional first shoe component to be mounted separately on thelast. As a result, there are high requirements on the tools needed topre-shape the first shoe component directly around the mounting devicemechanically and in an automated manner. Despite the higher demands onthe tooling, direct manufacture around the mounting device provides apre-shaped first shoe component that is particularly stable, fitsprecisely, and is free from warping.

Providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component maycomprise one or more of the following methods for the manufacture of thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component: three-dimensionalweft knitting, three-dimensional warp knitting, braiding, vacuumforming, injection molding, slush molding, casting, pouring, spraying orwrapping of a three-dimensional shape, printing.

Depending on the intended purpose of use and thus the materials whichcome into consideration, one or several of the above-mentioned methodsmay be used in order to provide a three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component, on the basis of which the entire shoe may then bemanufactured. In this regard, three-dimensional weft-knitting,warp-knitting, braiding, or the like come into consideration for atextile first shoe component, for example, and vacuum forming, injectionmolding, slush molding, casting, pouring, spraying or wrapping of athree-dimensional form or printing come into consideration for firstshoe components made from synthetic material, for example. It is alsopossible for the first shoe component to be manufactured in amultilayered manner, e.g. from multilayer laminates. For example,three-dimensional weft-knitting may occur first and then a plastic orelastomer layer may be sprayed on in order to provide thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, etc. Also, fiberscould be used as a base material, resulting in a three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component comprising a non-woven textile material.

The method for manufacturing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component may comprise a circular knitting of the first shoecomponent.

Circular knitting allows the provision of particularly distortion-freeand blemish-free three-dimensionally pre-shaped workpieces, which arefurthermore free from bothering seams, which may be desirable forcertain applications, for example in a shoe upper.

The three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component may pass throughat least one processing station during processing.

For example, the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component mayautomatically be transported, particularly on a mounting device asdescribed above, to one or more processing stations in which it isfurther processed. The type and order of the processing steps undergoneby the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component herein isindividually controllable for each three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component, so that a very high level of flexibility is achieved. Incertain embodiments, a plurality of processing steps may be carried outwithin a processing station, with it also being possible in this contextfor the exact sequence and/or rearrangement of processing steps andprocessing parameters to be individually adjusted for everythree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component. Moreover, all thismay occur in an automated manner to a large extent.

In certain embodiments, in the at least one processing station, at leastone of the following processing steps is performed: screen printing,digital printing, dye sublimation, sublimation printing, pad printing,spraying on color, applying at least one color-changing material,applying at least one foil element, impregnating with a material,coating with a material, applying at least one glue, flocking, lasercutting, laser engraving, embroidering, thermoforming, locally melting,locally fusing, embossing, laser etching, 3-D printing, and/or perfing.

It is therefore possible to individually impart a plurality of e.g.optical and haptic properties onto the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component, without the modification of a production means orconversion of the method becoming necessary for this. Since the firstshoe component is further already three-dimensionally pre-shaped,noteworthy distortions/buckling of the elements applied in this step maynot occur in the further course of the processing. This is important incase of elements serving the purpose of decoration, such as lettering,logos, etc., for example.

In certain embodiments, the at least one processing station adds atleast one second shoe component to the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component.

By adding at least one second shoe component to the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component, the number of possible manufactureforms which may be implemented by embodiments of the present method isincreased. In this context, adding at least one second shoe componentand the above-mentioned processing steps which may be carried out in theat least one processing station may complement each other.

It is possible, for example, that the at least one second shoe componentcomprises one or more of the following shoe elements: eyelets, heelcaps, toe caps, decoration elements, decoration stripes, frictionelements, abrasion protection elements, rib elements, reinforcementelements, stiffening elements, supporting elements, cushioning elements,fiber elements, sole elements, outsoles.

Such functional elements may serve the purpose of influencing thewearing properties of a shoe so that the individually controllableaddition of such components allows producing a plurality of shoes forthe most different purposes by certain embodiments of the presentmethod.

In certain embodiments, the at least one processing station is furtherprovided to connect the second shoe component with thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component by one or more ofthe following steps: gluing, welding, high frequency welding, ultrasonicwelding, laser welding, pressing, sewing, screwing, riveting, meltingtogether, clipping together, sealing, subjecting to a heat and pressuretreatment, subjecting to a steaming treatment.

In this context, depending on the materials of the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component and/or the second shoe component, one ormore of the above-mentioned connecting methods may be used. This allowsthe connecting method(s) to be optimally adjusted to the respectiveproperties of the shoe to be currently manufactured, thus providingoptimum stability.

The at least one processing station may be provided to remove thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component and/or the secondshoe component from the mounting device.

This allows the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe componentand/or the second shoe component to be subject to further processingsteps elsewhere or packaging them for shipping, etc., if necessary.

It is possible that the at least one processing station comprises one ormore processing tools, which are used in accordance with the individualsequence and/or rearrangement of processing steps.

Due to this, several processing steps may occur within a singleprocessing station, so that moving along or repositioning of the firstand/or second shoe components is no longer required.

In certain embodiments, the processing station learns the use of atleast one processing tool via interaction with a human.

Since three-dimensionally pre-shaped workpieces may be processed withthe method, the movement sequences and movement patterns which aprocessing tool has to carry out within a given processing step may beextremely complex patterns. Training the machine by a human may thus besubstantially more effective than conventionally programming themachine.

Herein, the interaction may comprise demonstrating a movement patternfor the use of the at least one processing tool.

Humans are often superior to machines in carrying out complex movementpatterns, as just described. Therefore, demonstrating a movement patternmay further simplify training the machine and may result in improvedresults in manufacture.

The three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component may comprise atleast a part of a shoe upper.

The three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component may then serveas a basic element for manufacturing the shoe, on or to which all or atleast a part of the further desired properties are then successivelyimparted or added during manufacture. Thus, three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe components formed as a part of a shoe upper arevery well suited for realizing a manufacturing method which is automatedto a large extent but extremely flexible nonetheless.

A further aspect of the present invention is constituted by an apparatuswhich is provided for performing embodiments of a method according tothe invention.

With such an apparatus, a plurality of differently designed shoes may bemanufactured automatically to a large extent, starting from thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component.

Herein, the apparatus may comprise an interface for the selection of theshoe model by a future wearer of the shoe.

Thus, the future wearer is able to precisely adjust the shoe to bemanufactured to their individual requirements and thus have a shoe modelmanufactured in the sense of a “custom fit” which is particularlysuitable for them.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus is arranged inside a movablecontainer. Herein, the container may be at least partially transparent.Moreover, the container could be also a combination of multiplecontainers which may be combined into one production unit.

This allows transportation and provision of the apparatus directly “onsite”, for example at sporting events or at trade fairs, but also in astore's showroom. A purchaser may then, particularly in combination withthe aforementioned interface, “put together” a desired shoe model, ormore generally a desired sport product, directly at the site of theapparatus or even beforehand via the internet or in a store, this modelor product then being manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus. Ifthe container is partially transparent, the customer may even watch theshoes or products being manufactured. In addition, the process could becaptured by video and live broadcasted in digital medianetworks/channels.

A further aspect of the present invention is a shoe, wherein the shoehas been manufactured by use of embodiments of a method according to theinvention.

As already repeatedly mentioned, it is possible, in this respect, forthe manufactured shoe to be individually customized and modified, forexample based on a design of a development designer or even based on acustomer's wishes.

At this point, it shall be explicitly pointed out that for embodimentsof a method according to the invention, embodiments of an apparatusaccording to the invention and/or embodiments of a shoe according to theinvention, multiple design possibilities and embodiments disclosedherein may be combined with one another depending on the specificrequirements. Individual options and design possibilities describedherein may also be disregarded where they appear to be dispensable forthe respective method, the respective apparatus, or the shoe to bemanufactured, respectively, with the resulting embodiments still beingpart of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedhere with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but thisdescription is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, mayinclude different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction withother existing or future technologies. This description should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among orbetween various steps or elements except when the order of individualsteps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

Certain embodiments of the invention are described in the followingdetailed description with regard to sports shoes. The present inventionis not, however, limited to these embodiments. Rather, the presentinvention may also be used in other types of sportswear, e.g. sportsshirts, sports pants, gloves, etc. Moreover, the present invention mayalso be used in the manufacture of balls, bags, backpacks, helmets,heads, belts, and other kinds of accessories.

FIG. 1 shows embodiments of a method 100 according to the invention forthe manufacture of a shoe 290. In certain embodiments, the method 100comprises the following steps: providing 140 a three-dimensionalpre-shaped first shoe component 110 and processing 200 thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110, wherein theprocessing 200 comprises an individually controllable sequence and/orrearrangement of processing steps.

In certain embodiments, the method 100 comprises providing a pluralityof three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoe components 110 for themanufacture of a plurality of shoes 290, wherein at least one of theplurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoe components 110 isconfigured for a different shoe model from at least a second one of theplurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoe components 110, andprocessing 200 the plurality of three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe components 110 to produce the plurality of shoes 290, wherein atleast one of the plurality of shoes 290 is a different shoe model fromat least a second one of the plurality of shoes 290, wherein theprocessing comprises an individually controllable succession ofprocessing steps that proceed in an automated manner without manualintervention.

In this context, both the providing 140 and the further processing 200may take place in a single manufacturing or processing apparatusintended for this, for example in the processing apparatus 205 discussedin more detail with regard to FIG. 2. However, it is also possible that,as suggested in FIG. 1, the providing 140 and the further processing 200take place at separate manufacturing or processing apparatuses,respectively. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, the providing 140occurs at a station 145 that may intended for this purpose, for example.The further processing 200 then occurs in the processing apparatus 205.Details in this regard will be explained in more detail below.

In the method 100 shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component 110 may be a shoe upper 110 or a part of such ashoe upper. However, it is also possible that the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component 110 is another shoe element, such as apart of a sole or the like. In certain embodiments, a plurality ofthree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe components 110 may beprovided, wherein at least one of the plurality of three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe components 110 may be configured for a differentshoe model from at least a second one of the plurality ofthree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe components 110.

The three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 may bearranged on a mounting device 120 during processing 200, which mountingdevice 120 comprises a shape that at least partially corresponds to thethree-dimensional pre-shape of the first shoe component 110. This mayserve the purpose of the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent 110 being able to be moved along well and positioned preciselyduring processing 200, which may be desirable for precise processingand/or processing that is substantially free of substandard goods. Thismay also prevent or minimize undesired warping of the material,deformations of the material or damage to the material during thefurther processing steps of a method 200.

In certain embodiments, the mounting device 120 comprises a last 120.

The last 120 may, for example, comprise an engagement (not shown), whichallows the last 120 together with the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component 110 to be picked up automatically and without humanassistance with a processing tool, e.g. a gripper arm, and to move itthrough the different processing steps of the method 200.

The last 120 could, for example, be an additive manufactured last 120built individually for each consumer to achieve a customized fit of theshoe 290. Other methods to generate a rigid 3D-shaped last 120, or moregenerally a rigid 3D-shaped mounting device 120, may also be obvious toa person of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In certain embodiments,milling the last 120 based on 3D CAD files is mentioned here.

In further embodiments of the method 100, the last 120 is adjustable insize. In some embodiments, the last 120 comprises a variable volume, sothat it is able to adjust to the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component particularly well. The last 120 may, for example,comprise one or several chambers, bubbles, etc., which may be filledwith air or liquid, and which may be filled independently of oneanother, so as to adjust to the shape of the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component 110. In doing so, the last 120 maypossibly even be filled such that slight stretching of the material ofthe first shoe component 110 occurs. This additional tensile strain mayprovide the first shoe component 110 with additional support on the last120. In other embodiments, the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent 110 comprises a plurality of apertures (not shown), which aremounted on corresponding needles or the like on the mounting device 120,in order to align the first shoe component 110 on the mounting device.Herein, the apertures may be arranged in such places of thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 that they arenot visible in the finished shoe 290. The apertures may be arranged suchthat, for example, they rest between the outsole and the shoe upper inthe finished shoe 290.

In certain embodiments, the first shoe components 110 provided in step140 are mounted on the mounting device 120 in a separate mounting step150. This step may occur both purely mechanically or manually. It isalso possible for manual mounting 150 to be supported mechanically.

The providing step 140 may alternatively comprise manufacturing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 directly aroundthe mounting device 120. This may save time, manufacturing effort,additional working steps and machines, as well as material, etc. Such adesign may also prevent overexpansion of the material of the first shoecomponent 110, which might arise during a separate mounting step 150 onthe mounting device 120, which would otherwise be necessary. Such adesign may also help reduce the number of substandard goods produced bythe method 100.

It may furthermore be desirable in certain applications that thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 be directlytailored to the shoe 290 to be manufactured. The size and the width ofthe forefoot, for example, may be adjusted precisely “to measure.” Itmay, for example, also be possible to provide different colors, shapesand functions, such as e.g. ventilation apertures at this stage. Incertain embodiments, the first shoe components 110 may be provided indifferent thicknesses or with several areas of a different materialthickness each to achieve a cushioning effect, for example. The firstshoe components 110 may, for example, be weft-knitted, warp-knitted,braided, or woven with thicker or softer yarns or fibers and/or a morevoluminous pattern where the wearer's foot is eventually to be protectedfrom the effect of excessively strong force, e.g. when kicking a ball.

Herein, at least one of the following methods come into consideration,for example, for the manufacture of the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component 110: three-dimensional weft knitting,three-dimensional warp knitting, braiding, vacuum forming, injectionmolding, slush molding, casting, pouring, spraying or wrapping of athree-dimensional shape, particularly on a potentially heatable andcoolable last 120, and/or printing. Also, fibers could be used as a basematerial that can, e.g., be braided or wrapped around a heatable andcoolable last or the like, potentially under the addition of a bondingagent like glue or the like. Thus, a three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component 110 may also be made from a non-woven textile, ornon-textile, material. In certain embodiments, the manufacture comprisescircular knitting of the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent 110 around the mounting device 120.

Where the manufacture of the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent 110 comprises three-dimensional weaving, warp-knitting,weft-knitting or braiding, different yarns and/or fibers may be used indifferent regions, as was already mentioned above, in order to influencethe functionality of the shoe 290 to be manufactured at this stage.These yarns or fibers may, for example, be yarns/fibers comprisingthermoplastic material which are thermo-formable, elastic yarns/fibers,metallized yarns/fibers, etc. A person of ordinary skill in the relevantart will understand that such yarns or fibers may have characteristicsthat allow the material comprising these yarns or fibers to bepre-shaped into the desired three-dimensional shape. In certainembodiments, the material comprising these yarns or fibers may bepre-shaped through a variety of techniques, including but not limited toheat treatment, press-fitting, molding, etc.

As is suggested in FIG. 1, the individually controllable sequence and/orrearrangement of processing steps of the method 200 may, for example, bedetermined by a computer generated shoe model 115 in a further selectionstep 130. This may, for example, be performed by the computer 135, onwhich the shoe model 115 was generated. In this regard, “computer”comprises computers in the conventional sense as well as laptops,tablets, smartphones and other such portable or stationary devices. Inother embodiments, the data underlying the model 115 may be sent to acontrol device (not shown) by the computer 135, which determines theindividually controllable sequence and/or rearrangement of processingsteps of the method 200 and controls the processing apparatus 205accordingly. The computer 135 may, for example, be located in some kindof “kiosk,” where a potential customer may select or design acomputer-generated shoe model 115 and then cause the manufacture of acorresponding pair of shoes. Another possibility may be a fullyautomatic vending machine that a customer could access outside shoppinghours, create his or her own shoe model 115, and have the correspondingshoe 290 manufactured on the spot. This would allow selling andproduction in all areas outside opening hours, e.g. in cities, atairports, etc.

As a result, the computer generated shoe model 115 may, for example, beselected by a future wearer of the shoe 290 to be manufactured from apredetermined set of shoe models 115 stored in the computer 135 beforethe individually controllable sequence and/or rearrangement ofprocessing steps of the method 200 is determined. These may, forexample, be different models of a football shoe 290, which may differ incolor, arrangement of the studs, etc. It is also possible for theselection to occur in a modular manner, i.e. for the desired color to beselected first, then the desired arrangement of the studs, then thedesired midsole, etc. from a predetermined selection. This mayparticularly occur interactively on a screen 135. Alternatively or inaddition to this, the selection step 130 of the shoe model may alsooccur by one or several parameters, e.g. the size or the width of theforefoot, etc., being specified. While this may be less intuitive, itmay potentially enable a more precise adjustment to the foot of a futurewearer.

Finally, it is also possible that the shoe model 115 is created on thecomputer 135 from scratch, allowing a large degree of customization ofthe shoe model 115.

In certain embodiments of the method 100, the selection step 130 of theshoe model also directly influences the providing step 140 of thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe components. Particularly inthe case where the providing step 140 comprises manufacturing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 around themounting device 120, the shoe component may be manufactured directly inaccordance with the selection on the computer 135.

In certain embodiments, the first shoe components 110 may be provided instep 140 as blanks, e.g. taken from storage, which are notindividualized and adjusted to the customer's preferences until thelater processing steps of the method 200.

FIG. 2 illustrates certain embodiments of a processing apparatus 205 onwhich the individually controllable sequence and/or rearrangement ofprocessing steps of the method 200 may take place. Thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 may pass throughat least one processing station during processing 200. Four processingstations 230, 240, 250 and 260 are shown in the embodiments of theprocessing apparatus 205 illustrated in FIG. 2. However, a person ofordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that any suitablenumber and arrangement of processing stations may be used to achieve thedesired result.

In the processing station 230, at least one of the following processingsteps may be performed herein: screen printing, digital printing, dyesublimation, sublimation printing, pad printing, spraying on color,applying at least one color-changing material, applying at least onefoil element, impregnating with a material, coating with a material,applying at least one glue, flocking, laser cutting, laser engraving,embroidering, thermoforming, locally melting, locally fusing, embossing,laser etching, and/or perfing.

Thus, for example, it is possible to spray pigments on the first shoecomponent 110 first and then apply glue in various regions or patterns.In doing so, the glue bonds with the pigments. Subsequently, a transferpaper, for example, may be applied, which also adheres to the glue, andwhen this transfer paper is subsequently removed, the glue and thepigments adhering thereto are therefore also removed. As a result, theregions in which no glue was applied are colored. In certainembodiments, a material, e.g. color, may also be applied all over thefirst shoe component 110, but only activated locally, e.g. by applyingheat or energy. A further possibility involves applying pigments thatchange color depending on a magnetic field applied. These pigments maybe embedded in a plastic carrier, a thermoplastic carrier material or inmicrocapsules.

At least one second shoe component may be added to thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110 when it passesthrough processing station 240.

Whether at least one second shoe component is added to a given firstshoe component 110 may be controlled individually for each first shoecomponent 110 and depends on whether or not the shoe 290 to bemanufactured is to be equipped with at least one second shoe component.

The at least one second shoe component may comprise at least one of aneyelet, heel cap, toe cap, decoration element, decoration stripe,friction element, abrasion protection element, rib element,reinforcement element, stiffening element, supporting element,cushioning element, fiber element, sole element, and/or outsole.

In certain embodiments, the second shoe component may be present in apre-fabricated manner and applied to the first shoe component 110 in theprocessing station 240. (The singular will consistently be used in thefollowing in order to simplify language. However, several second shoecomponents are comprised by the following statements provided that thisis not explicitly precluded). Suction elements, gripping elements ormagnetic instruments, for example, may be used for the application. Itis also possible for the second shoe component to be provided on aseparate carrier film. However, in further embodiments, the second shoecomponent may be applied to the first shoe component 110 by a printingmethod.

In further embodiments, glue may be applied to the first shoe component110 in particular regions, and fibers or such elements may besubsequently applied to these particular regions. Superfluous fibers,which did not bond with the glue, may subsequently be blown off, forexample.

The first shoe component 110 may further pass through a third processingstation 250. In the third processing station 250, a consolidating orconnecting step is performed to connect the potentially present secondshoe component with the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent 110 by at least one of the following processing steps: gluing,welding, high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding,pressing, sewing, screwing, riveting, melting together, clippingtogether, sealing, subjecting to a heat and pressure treatment, and/orsubjecting to a steaming treatment.

For example, the first shoe component 110 and the second shoe componentmay be subjected to pressure and heat at least in partial areas so thatall adhesive layers present are activated, creating a resilientconnection between the various layers. Also, there could be a number ofseparate heat pressing steps, for example two heat pressing steps orfour heat pressing steps or the like, at the same or at differenttemperatures. For example, the temperature at a first heat pressing stepcould be higher or lower than the temperature at a second heat pressingsecond step and so on. In some embodiments, an uppermost layer of gluemay be applied or the first shoe component 110 and/or the second shoecomponents may be covered with a thin plastic coating, e.g. an elastomercoating.

The workpiece may, for example after this consolidating and/orconnecting treatment in the processing station 250, be subjected tofurther processing steps in the processing station 260. An outsole maybe applied, for example. The workpiece may furthermore be taken off themounting device 120.

It should be noted that the processing stations 230, 240, 250 and 260may also be a single processing station comprising several substations,for example, or at least one processing tool that is selected accordingto the individual sequence and/or rearrangement of processing steps. Incertain embodiments, the at least one processing station 230, 240, 250,260 may learn application of at least one of its processing tools byinteraction with a human. The processing station 230, 240, 250, 260 orthe processing apparatus 205, for example, may comprise an interactionmeans (not shown) for this purpose, for example a mechanical arm or akind of exoskeleton. Through this interaction means, a human may thenprescribe a movement pattern to the processing apparatus 205 orprocessing station 230, 240, 250, 260, for example, according to whichprocessing apparatus 205/processing station 230, 240, 250, 260 is toapply the corresponding tool. This may considerably accelerate andfacilitate training the processing apparatus 205 and/or processingstation 230, 240, 250, 260, respectively, in comparison to conventionalprogramming techniques.

It is further possible for the providing step 140 and/or the potentiallynecessary mounting step 150 to occur within at least one of theprocessing stations 230, 240, 250, 260 or the processing apparatus 205itself, and thus, certain embodiments of the entire manufacturing methodmay occur within the processing apparatus 205, as was already mentioned.The statements made with regard to steps 140 and 150 above continue toapply in this case.

In the embodiments shown here, the processing apparatus 205 is arrangedin a mobile container 210. Here, the mobile container 210 may be atleast partially transparent. In the present embodiments, the walls ofthe container 210 consist of glass or Plexiglas or other transparentmaterials. The mobile container 210 could furthermore comprise multiplesub-containers which could be arranged into a production unit containingthe processing apparatus 205. A shoe 290 is further visible, which wasmanufactured with the processing apparatus 205 in accordance withvarious embodiments of a method according to the invention describedherein.

The processing apparatus 205 may comprise an interface for the selectionof the shoe model 115 by a future wearer of the shoe 290. This mayparticularly be an interface which enables a selection of the shoe model115 as described with regard to the selection step 130 in FIG. 1.

For moving the workpiece from one processing station to the next, theprocessing apparatus 205 may further comprise a transport means 220.This may, for example, be a band conveyor, as shown here. However, it isalso possible for this to be a robotic arm or the like which grips theworkpiece. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art willunderstand that the transport means 120 may also be any suitableconveying device including but not limited to air tables, gravity rollerconveyors, belt conveyors, bucket conveyors, vibrating conveyors, chainconveyors, screw conveyors, or other similar mechanical, pneumatic,and/or electrical conveying devices.

It is desirable in certain embodiments if, as explained above, thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component 110, on the basis ofwhich the workpiece is constructed and processed, is mounted on amounting device 120, particularly a last 120, during processing. Incertain embodiments, the mounting device comprises an engagement whichenables such a robotic arm to hook up with the mounting device, thuspicking up the mounting device together with the workpiece. This designmay be beneficial in that the workpiece may be positioned, turned,arranged, shifted, etc. virtually arbitrarily in space, which is notpossible or only in a limited manner by means of a simple transport belt220.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show further embodiments of methods 300, 400 according tothe invention and apparatuses according to the invention formanufacturing a shoe or a part of a shoe 350, 470, respectively. Here,so as to avoid unnecessary redundancies, the embodiments are merelyroughly sketched. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that thestatements made with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2 above regarding the variousmethod steps, processing options and processing stations, etc., are alsoapplicable to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the method 300 shown in FIG. 3, a three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component is first provided at the processing station 305.Weft-knitting of a shoe upper or a shoe shaft may occur here, forexample. However, other three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponents may also be provided and techniques other than weft-knittingmay be used for that.

As an alternative to the direct manufacture of the first shoe componentsat the processing station 305, the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component may also, e.g. by the processing station 310, be takenfrom a depot or storage and provided for further processing.

Here, further processing of the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component comprises an individually controllable sequence and/orrearrangement of processing steps. Some of the possible processing stepsare to be outlined below. Incidentally, as already mentioned, thestatements made in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 also apply.

The provided three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component may,for example, be mounted on a mounting device, such as a last 480 shownin FIG. 4, in a further processing step 325. This may occur manually oralso in a partially or completely automated manner, e.g. at theprocessing station 320. The processing station 320 may, for example,take the last from storage or a depot and provide it for the mounting ofthe first shoe components. As an alternative to subsequent mounting, thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component may also beweft-knitted, or manufactured in another way, directly at the processingstation 305 around the mounting device, which may be around the last.

At further processing stations 335, at least one second shoe component330, which was taken from a storage, for example, may be added to thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component if this is desired.In certain embodiments, the second shoe component 330 may be applied tothe three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component at theprocessing station 335 by printing or the like, for example.

At a further processing station 340, consolidation and/or connectionbetween the first and the second shoe components may be achieved. Theconsolidating and/or connecting may be performed by at least one of thefollowing processing steps: gluing, welding, high frequency welding,ultrasonic welding, laser welding, pressing, sewing, screwing, riveting,melting together, clipping together, sealing, subjecting to a heat andpressure treatment, and/or subjecting to a steaming treatment. Forexample, the first shoe components and the second shoe components 330may be subjected to pressure and heat so that all adhesive layerspresent are activated, creating a resilient connection between thevarious layers. Also, there may be a number of separate heat pressingsteps, for example two heat pressing steps or four heat pressing stepsor the like, at the same or at different temperatures. For example, thetemperature at a first heat pressing step may be higher or lower thanthe temperature at a second heat pressing second step and so on. Incertain embodiments, an uppermost layer of glue may be applied or thefirst and/or second shoe components may be covered with a thin plasticcoating, e.g. a polymer coating.

By these processing steps, it is possible for a workpiece 350 to bemanufactured that comprises a finished shoe 350. However, it is alsopossible that the resulting workpiece 350 only comprises a shoe part andthat further processing steps, for example the method steps shown inFIG. 4, follow for the shoe to be completed.

The method 400 in FIG. 4 may comprise the method steps of the method300, which were just discussed. On the basis of the shoe part 350, whichmay be moved to further processing by a processing station 401, forexample, the shoe part 350 may be applied to a sole, for example, at oneof the further processing stations 420. The sole may previously havebeen fetched from storage or a depot by a transport apparatus 405 andprovided with glue in a further processing station 410.

After the shoe part 350 and the sole provided with glue have beenpressed together at the processing station 420, the workpiece may beplaced in a cooler and/or be actively cooled in further processing steps430, 435, for example, in order to cause the glue to harden. For otherglues, which are activated by heat, the workpiece may be treated withheat or energy in further processing steps 430, 435 in order for theglue to harden. Connecting methods other than the use of glues, and thusmethods for consolidating and hardening the connection different fromthe ones described in this paragraph, may obviously also be used in thisregard. In this context, reference shall be made to the statementsregarding FIGS. 1 and 2 and processing station 340 once more.

After hardening, the workpiece may be removed from the mounting device,e.g. the last 480, in a further processing step. Once again, this mayoccur manually, by a human worker 440, or also supported by a furtherprocessing station 445. However, fully automated removal of the last byprocessing station 445 is also possible.

Depending on whether or not further shoes 470 are to be manufactured,the last 480 may either be returned to storage or the depot, e.g. by aprocessing station like the processing station 320 shown in FIG. 3, orit may be used again in order to mount further providedthree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe components on it analogouslyto step 325 discussed above. This allows continuous production of(small-scale) series, for example.

In further processing steps 450, 460, shoelaces, which may e.g. beprovided via a conveyor belt 455 or other transport means, may bethreaded in the workpiece, for example, and/or the finished shoe 470 maybe placed into a packaging 465 provided for this and passed on 475 forsale or dispatch. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art willunderstand that the transport means may be any suitable conveying deviceincluding but not limited to air tables, gravity roller conveyors, bandconveyors, belt conveyors, bucket conveyors, vibrating conveyors, chainconveyors, screw conveyors, robotic arms or the like which grips theworkpiece, or other similar mechanical, pneumatic, and/or electricalconveying devices.

In this regard, the packaging may also be individually customized to themanufactured shoe 470. If, for example, a future wearer of the shoe 470selects a shoe model 115 e.g. on a computer 135, which results inmanufacture of a corresponding shoe 290, 350, 470, the packaging mighte.g. comprise information about the customer's selection such as theshoe size, color, specific properties, the price, etc. In summary, thepackaging 370 may be customized with each box being individuallyprinted, cut, and formed on demand. The customization may be purelyvisible in form of names, logos and so on, or may be designed perfectlyto fit each shoe 470, or more generally to fit each manufactured pieceof apparel or sporting good.

It should be noted here once again that the embodiments shown in FIGS.1-4 are merely examples that are intended to make the invention'spotential obvious to the person skilled in the art. In certain existingembodiments, the precise number, sequence and/or rearrangement and/ornature of the individual processing steps may also differ from themethods 100, 200, 300 and 400 shown here.

FIG. 5 shows embodiments of a mobile sales stand 500, with the mobilesales stand 500 comprising at least one apparatus 510 for performingcertain embodiments of a method according to the invention, e.g. one ofthe methods 200, 300 and 400 shown in FIGS. 2-4. Furthermore, FIG. 5shows a sales or consultancy stand 550. For example, at this consultancystand 550, a customer may seek advice about suitable shoe models or thecustomer may individually design a desired shoe model. After designingthe desired shoe model, the production apparatus 510 may, via a controlmeans, for example, be prompted to manufacture the shoe model designedby the customer.

The mobile sales stand 500 may be used, for example, at trade fairs,major events, sports events, etc. In certain embodiments, the mobilesales stand may be placed in a department store.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows embodiments of a sales room 600 comprising anapparatus 610 for performing certain embodiments of a method accordingto the invention. Apparatus 610 may, for example, be one of theembodiments of an apparatus shown in conjunction with one of the methods200, 300 and 400 discussed in the context of FIGS. 2-4.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate theunderstanding of the invention:

-   -   1. Method (100; 300; 400) for the manufacture of a shoe (290;        350; 470), which comprises the following steps:        -   a. Providing (140; 305; 310) a three-dimensionally            pre-shaped first shoe component (110); and        -   b. Processing (200) the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first            shoe component (110),        -   c. wherein the processing (200) comprises an individually            controllable succession of processing steps.    -   2. Method according to the preceding example, wherein the        individually controllable succession of processing steps is        determined from a computer generated shoe model (115).    -   3. Method according to the preceding example, wherein the shoe        model (115) is selected from a predetermined set of shoe models        that are stored on a computer (135).    -   4. Method according to one of the two preceding examples,        wherein the shoe model (115) is selected by setting one or more        parameters.    -   5. Method according to one of the preceding examples, wherein        during processing (200) the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first        shoe component (110) is arranged on a mounting device (120; 480)        which comprises a shape that at least partially corresponds to        the three-dimensional pre-shape of the first shoe component        (110).    -   6. Method according to the preceding example, wherein the        mounting device (120; 480) comprises a last (120; 480).    -   7. Method according to the preceding examples, wherein the last        (120; 480) comprises a variable volume, preferably being        provided inflatable.    -   8. Method according to one of the three preceding examples,        wherein step a. comprise a manufacture (140; 305) of the        three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component (110) around        the mounting device (120; 480).    -   9. Method according to one of the preceding examples, wherein        step a. comprises one or more of the following methods for the        manufacture (140; 305) of the three-dimensionally pre-shaped        first shoe component (110): three-dimensional weft knitting,        three-dimensional warp knitting, braiding, vacuum forming,        injection molding, slush molding, casting, pouring, spraying or        wrapping of a three-dimensional shape, printing.    -   10. Method according to the preceding examples, wherein the        method for the manufacture (140; 305) of the three-dimensionally        pre-shaped first shoe component (110) comprises the circular        knitting of the first shoe component (110).    -   11. Method according to one of the preceding examples, wherein        the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component (110)        passes through at least one processing station (150; 230; 240;        250; 260; 320; 335; 340; 401; 420; 430; 435; 445) during        processing (200).    -   12. Method according to the preceding examples, wherein in the        at least one processing station (230) at least one of the        following processing steps is performed: screen printing,        digital printing, dye sublimation, sublimation printing, pad        printing, spraying on color, applying at least one        color-changing material, applying at least one foil element,        impregnating with a material, coating with a material, applying        at least one glue, flocking, laser cutting, laser engraving,        embroidering, thermoforming, locally melting, locally fusing,        embossing, laser etching, perfing.    -   13. Method according to one of the two preceding examples,        wherein the at least one processing station (240; 335) adds at        least one second shoe component (330) to the three-dimensionally        pre-shaped first shoe component (110).    -   14. Method according to the preceding examples, wherein the at        least one second shoe component (330) comprises one or more of        the following shoe elements: eyelets, heel caps, toe caps,        decoration elements, decoration stripes, friction elements,        abrasion protection elements, rib elements, reinforcement        elements, stiffening elements, supporting elements, cushioning        elements, fiber elements, sole elements, outsoles.    -   15. Method according to one of the two preceding examples,        wherein the at least one processing station (250; 340) is        provided to connect the second shoe component (330) with the        three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component (110) by one        or more of the following steps: gluing, welding, high frequency        welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, pressing, sewing,        screwing, riveting, melting together, clipping together,        sealing, subjecting to a heat and pressure treatment, subjecting        to a steaming treatment.    -   16. Method according to one of the preceding examples 11-15,        wherein the at least one processing station (260; 445) is        provided to remove the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe        component (110) and/or the second shoe component (330) from the        mounting device (120; 480).    -   17. Method according to one of the preceding examples 11-16,        wherein the at least one processing station (150; 230; 240; 250;        260; 320; 335; 340; 401; 420; 430; 435; 445) comprises one or        more processing tools, which are used in accordance with the        individual succession of processing steps.    -   18. Method according to the preceding example, wherein the        processing station (150; 230; 240; 250; 260; 320; 335; 340; 401;        420; 430; 435; 445) learns the use of at least one processing        tool via interaction with a human.    -   19. Method according to the preceding example, wherein the        interaction comprises demonstrating a movement pattern for the        use of the at least one processing tool.    -   20. Method according to one of the preceding examples, wherein        the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component (110)        comprises at least a part of a shoe upper.    -   21. Apparatus (205; 300; 400; 510; 610), provided to perform a        method according to one of the examples 1-20.    -   22. Apparatus (205; 300; 400; 510; 610) according to the        preceding example, wherein the apparatus (205; 300; 400; 510;        610) comprises an interface (135) for the selection of the shoe        model (115) by a future wearer of the shoe (290; 470).    -   23. Apparatus (205; 510) according to one of the two preceding        examples, wherein the apparatus (205; 510) is arranged within a        movable container (210; 500).    -   24. Apparatus (205) according to the preceding example, wherein        the container (210) is at least partially transparent.    -   25. Shoe (290; 470), wherein the shoe has been manufactured by        use of a method according to one of the examples 1-20.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings ordescribed above, as well as components and steps not shown or describedare possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are usefuland may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described forillustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodimentswill become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depictedin the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims below.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for the manufacture of a shoe, themethod comprising: providing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent; and processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent, wherein the processing comprises an individually controllablesuccession of processing steps.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the individually controllable succession of processing steps isdetermined from a computer generated shoe model.
 3. The method accordingto claim 2, wherein the computer generated shoe model is selected from apredetermined set of shoe models that are stored on a computer.
 4. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein the computer generated shoe modelis selected by setting one or more parameters.
 5. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein during processing, the three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe component is arranged on a mounting devicecomprising a shape that at least partially corresponds to thethree-dimensional pre-shape of the first shoe component.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the mounting device comprises a last. 7.The method according to claim 1, wherein the last comprises a variablevolume.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component comprises at least apart of a shoe upper.
 9. A method for the manufacture of a shoe, themethod comprising: manufacturing a three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component around a mounting device; and processing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component, wherein theprocessing comprises an individually controllable succession ofprocessing steps.
 10. The method according to claim 9, whereinmanufacturing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe componentaround the mounting device comprises at least one of three-dimensionalweft knitting, three-dimensional warp knitting, braiding, vacuumforming, injection molding, slush molding, casting, pouring, spraying athree-dimensional shape, wrapping a three-dimensional shape, orprinting.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein manufacturing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component around the mountingdevice comprises circular knitting the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component.
 12. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising passing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent through at least one processing station and processing thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component in the at least oneprocessing station.
 13. The method according to claim 12, whereinprocessing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component inthe at least one processing station comprises performing at least one ofthe following processing steps: screen printing, digital printing, dyesublimation, sublimation printing, pad printing, spraying on color,applying at least one color-changing material, applying at least onefoil element, impregnating with a material, coating with a material,applying at least one glue, flocking, laser cutting, laser engraving,embroidering, thermoforming, locally melting, locally fusing, embossing,laser etching, or perfing.
 14. The method according to claim 13, whereinprocessing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component inthe at least one processing station comprises adding at least one secondshoe component to the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the at leastone second shoe component comprises at least one of an eyelet, heel cap,toe cap, decoration element, decoration stripe, friction element,abrasion protection element, rib element, reinforcement element,stiffening element, supporting element, cushioning element, fiberelement, sole element, or outsole.
 16. The method according to claim 14,wherein the at least one second shoe component is added to thethree-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component by at least one ofgluing, welding, high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, laserwelding, pressing, sewing, screwing, riveting, melting together,clipping together, sealing, subjecting to a heat and pressure treatment,or subjecting to a steaming treatment.
 17. The method according to claim12, wherein providing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoecomponent comprises manufacturing the three-dimensionally pre-shapedfirst shoe component around a mounting device.
 18. The method accordingto claim 17, wherein processing the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component in the at least one processing station comprises removingthe three-dimensionally pre-shaped first shoe component from themounting device.
 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the atleast one processing station comprises at least one processing tool thatis used in accordance with the individually controllable succession ofprocessing steps.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the atleast one processing station learns the use of the at least oneprocessing tool via interaction with a human.
 21. The method accordingto claim 20, wherein the interaction comprises demonstrating a movementpattern for the use of the at least one processing tool.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the three-dimensionally pre-shaped firstshoe component comprises at least a part of a shoe upper.
 23. A methodfor the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, the method comprising:providing a plurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoecomponents for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, wherein at leastone of the plurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoecomponents is configured for a different shoe model from at least asecond one of the plurality of three-dimensional pre-shaped first shoecomponents; and processing the plurality of three-dimensionallypre-shaped first shoe components to produce the plurality of shoes,wherein at least one of the plurality of shoes is a different shoe modelfrom at least a second one of the plurality of shoes, wherein theprocessing comprises an individually controllable succession ofprocessing steps that proceed in an automated manner without manualintervention.